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At the opening community worship, Dean Hudnut-Beumler compares Babel and Pentecost and challenges us at Vanderbilt Divinity School to be a community that fearlessly responds to people. Read more >>
Tell us what you think about access to ATLA database
Alumni/ae now have access to the ATLA Religion Database with ATLA Serials, and we would like to know what you think. (Didn't know you had access to ATLA Religion Database with ATLA Serials? We're interested in hearing about that, too!) Give us your impressions in our quick four-question survey. Thank you!
Come back for Homecoming/Reunion October 20–21
We're celebrating the legacy of Vanderbilt Divinity School, the Graduate Department of Religion and our 1s and 6s Reunion classes at Homecoming/Reunion 2011 on October 20–21.
Homecoming/Reunion highlights include:
- thought-provoking presentations at the Cole Lectures
- new panel discussions with alumni/ae, faculty and students
- fellowship opportunities such as the Homecoming lunch—see the complete schedule
Thank you for your ongoing support of Vanderbilt Divinity School and the Graduate Department of Religion. We hope you will join the celebration in October.
The Tennessean: New monastics value meaning over money
Lindsey Krinks, a second-year master of theological studies student, and a new intentional living community started by Andrew Fiser, MDiv'11, are featured in the discussion of the new monastic movement in Nashville. Read more >>
The Tennessean: Homeless man Ken Goslin, 48, dies among friends
Ken Goslin and Lindsey Krinks, a second-year master of theological studies student, were featured in a powerful Easter story. This story is a follow-up to their journey of friendship. Read more >>
UMC.org: Places of worship honor workers on Labor Day
Vanderbilt Divinity School Economic Empowerment Coalition's (EEC) work to organize Nashville-area events to honor workers during Labor Day weekend is highlighted by the UMC as innovative organizing for Labor in the Pulpit Sunday. ECC is an affiliate of Interfaith Worker Justice, a national network of people of faith working to improve wages, benefits and conditions for workers. Read more >>
Join Daniel Patte, professor of religious studies and New Testament and early Christianity, as he talks about his involvement with the Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity and how his views of biblical interpretation and Christianity have changed over the years. Read more >>
E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Program in religion, gender, and sexuality at Vanderbilt Divinity School hosted the second Human Rights Campaign Summer Institute July 31–August 5. The institute brought together an ecumenical group of 17 advanced seminary students to engage in workshops and lectures facilitated by leading scholar-activists on issues of religion and sexuality. Vanderbilt Divinity School was proud to have Chad Gurley, a second-year master of divinity student, Kelley Frances Fenelon, MTS'11, and Natalie Williams, MTS'05, selected as 2011 fellows. Read more >>
Watch Mary E. Hunt, co-founder and co-director of the Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual, speaking on "Responsible Academics are Useful Activists." Read more >>
Watch Jay Michaelson, executive director of Nehirim (a nonprofit building community among LGBT Jews, partners and allies), lecture on "Queer Scholarship and Queer Activism: Liminality, Identity and the Plight of the 'Good Gays.'" Read more >>
National Post: Despite role as ideal citizens, many view Mormonism with suspicion
In an article examining how Americans' likelihood to voting for a Mormon running for president have not moved in three years, Kathleen Flake, associate professor of American religious history, is quoted. Read more >>
The Vancouver Sun: Vancouver theologian to advice Dalai Lama
Sallie McFague, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Theology, Emerita, recently participated in an advisory panel with the Dalai Lama about our environmental crisis. Read more >>
The New York Times/Opinion: Are Republicans ready now for a Mormon president? 'Believer of Convenience'
Kathleen Flake, associate professor of American religious history, discusses the strategic implication of faith in the political process. Read more >>
Community Breakfast
7:30–8:30 a.m.
October 4
Vanderbilt Divinity School Reading Room
Dale P. Andrews
Distinguished Professor of Homiletics, Social Justice and Practical Theology
Preaching and the Public Black Church
How do we preach in/for the public arena? What is the black church's place or voice in today's public square? How do the prophetic and the pastoral operate in these questions through preaching for social or political ministry? Please join Professor Andrews as he engages questions on preaching and the black church.
Homecoming/Reunion events
Cole Lectures
7 p.m. October 20
10 a.m. October 21
Benton Chapel
Vanderbilt Divinity School
R. Scott Appleby
Professor of History and Director of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies
University of Notre Dame
7 p.m. Thursday, October 20
The Ambivalence of the Sacred: Religion as a Source of Violent and Nonviolent Militance
10 a.m. Friday, October 21
Strong Religion, Weak Religion: Religious Extremism and its Violent Accomplices
Community Breakfast
7:30–8:30 a.m.
November 3
Vanderbilt Divinity School Refectory
James P. Byrd
Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Research and Assistant Professor of American Religious History
The Bible and Patriotism in Revolutionary America
The patriotic scripture shaped through the American Revolution viewed the Bible as a book of war and that wartime violence was spiritually meaningful if fought under God's inspiration. This message's ramifications would expand as the United States came to define itself though the justice and sacredness of its wars.
To get more up-to-date information, please follow us on Facebook. Join the Vanderbilt Divinity School page today!
The Independent (U.L.): America's first Mormon president?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the fastest-growing and wealthiest religions in the world. But is America ready for a Mormon in the White House? Kathleen Flake, associate professor of American religious history, is quoted. Read more >>
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